INDU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 11:10 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

Peggy Nash moved, — That in light of testimony provided at the March 5 meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, and taking into account the demonstrated impact of the proposed sale of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) on more than one government ministry, the Committee request that a representative of MDA, the Minister of Public Safety, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of National Defence appear before the Committee to provide testimony in regards to the proposed sale of MDA to Alliant Techsystems, before a decision concerning the sale is rendered under the Investment Canada Act.

Debate arose thereon.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the Minister of Public Safety, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of National Defence” with the words “Department officials from Foreign Affairs and National Defence, the Canadian Space Agency and other expert witnesses” and be amended by adding after the word “provide” the following: “technical knowledge and” and by deleting the words “before a decision concerning the sale is rendered under the Investment Canada Act”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Colin Carrie and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

On motion of Art Hanger, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Defence” the following: “and officials from the Canadian Space Agency”.

Scott Brison moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Act” the following: “and that the Committee strongly recommend that the Industry Minister exercise his right to extend the current forty-five (45) days period of the Investment Canada Act review by an additional thirty (30) days in order to enable a more thorough evaluation of the transaction particularly in terms of the net benefit test to Canada”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Scott Brison and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the motion be amended by adding before the word “appear” the following: “, and / or their delegates,”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Colin Carrie and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 3.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

In light of testimony provided at the March 5 meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, and taking into account the demonstrated impact of the proposed sale of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) on more than one government ministry, the Committee request that a representative of MDA, the Minister of Public Safety, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of National Defence and officials from the Canadian Space Agency appear before the Committee to provide testimony in regards to the proposed sale of MDA to Alliant Techsystems, before a decision concerning the sale is rendered under the Investment Canada Act, and that the Committee strongly recommend that the Industry Minister exercise his right to extend the current forty-five (45) days period of the Investment Canada Act review by an additional thirty (30) days in order to enable a more thorough evaluation of the transaction particularly in terms of the net benefit test to Canada.

At 12:37 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:39 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

At 12:59 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.